Perth high-rises to be checked for risk

The audit follows the finding in Victoria that similar cladding contributed to the rapid spread of fire up a Melbourne Docklands building in November 2014.

A building in Perth CBD that contains a type of cladding similar to that used in the construction of the Lacrosse Building in Melbourne has been assessed.

The specified cladding has been certified as compliant by an independent building certifier and the City of Perth has confirmed that the specified material has been installed.

WA Building Commissioner,Peter Gow said the WA Building Commission worked with the City of Perth to determine whether the use of the cladding in the identified building complied with the fire performance requirements of theBuilding Code of Australia.

He said the cladding used on the CBD building was a fire-rated version of the Alucobest product, the use and installation of which had been certified and met building standard specifications.

Mr Gow said the Building Commission could take disciplinary action against builders and building surveyors if they were found to have not met their responsibilities under the building laws.

“Like our Victorian counterparts, we are taking a targeted approach in checking high-rise residential buildings in the CBD in the first instance,” he said.

“The Building Commission will support the City of Perth to carry out the audit and, if non-compliant cladding is identified, will assist the City to have buildings brought into compliance.”

Mr Gow said he expected builders and building owners would be responsible and would rectify any non-compliance discovered in the audit.

“However, the City and the Building Commission have powers to require rectification if these powers are needed,” he said.

Mr Gow said the audit would not be limited to the Alucobest brand of aluminium composite panelling used in the Lacrosse Building.

“This type of cladding may have been used inappropriately on the Lacrosse Building, but that does not mean it cannot be used appropriately in other circumstances,” he said.

“Any non-compliant use of an aluminium composite cladding panel should be reported to the Building Commission or to the Building Department of the Local Government where the building is located.”